Zhizhu nodded. "Miss, you don't need to explain. I understand."
After all, she had heard the whole conversation from start to finish.
She had heard everything Su Mingyu had said to Qingfeng. She could understand why Su Mingyu had treated Qingfeng in such a way. It was all because Su Mingyu was standing up for her.
"In fact... there wasn't anything earth - shattering between us. It was just that during that period, the mistress and the old master had a bad relationship. Qingfeng and I both wanted to reconcile them, so we had a lot of contact with each other."
"Slowly, we developed feelings for each other. Although in the end, we couldn't reconcile the mistress and the old master..."
Zhizhu's voice was very low, as if it took a great effort to say each word.
Su Mingyu pursed her lips. "It's okay. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."
"It's not a matter of whether I want to talk or not. It's been a long time since then." Zhizhu pursed her lips. "When I gave him that purse, he refused me."
"He said that as the old master's personal bodyguard, his only purpose in life was to protect the old master, so he couldn't have personal feelings."
At this point, Zhizhu let out a deep sigh, as if trying to calm her emotions. Then she said helplessly, "Then he threw away the purse, and I didn't pick it up. So when I saw you take out that purse that day, I was so surprised."
So that was it. Su Mingyu lowered her eyes. "Alright, let's talk about this after you recover from your injury. Have a good rest first."
Saying that, Su Mingyu got up to leave, but Zhizhu grabbed her wrist. "Miss..."
Su Mingyu looked back at her. "What's wrong?"
"I... I want that young servant to go back." Zhizhu pursed her lips, as if she had made a great decision.
Su Mingyu looked at Zhizhu's wrinkled brows and suddenly asked, "Do you think that young servant treats you well?"
Zhizhu nodded in confusion. "Yes. He not only takes care of me but also chats with me."
"Do you think you're happy with him taking care of you?" Su Mingyu asked again.
"I..." Zhizhu pursed her lips and finally nodded. "Yes. He's a good person. It's just a pity that he was sent by that person."
"That doesn't matter." Su Mingyu reached out and touched her between the eyebrows. "Who sent the young servant doesn't affect the fact that he treats you sincerely, does it?"
After being reminded by Su Mingyu, Zhizhu thought for a while and nodded. "But..."
She didn't want anything from that person at all.
As if seeing what Zhizhu was thinking, Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Then I'll pay the young servant's wages. In this way, he'll be the person I hired. Can you accept this?"
"Really?" Zhizhu's eyes lit up, but then she shook her head. "Forget it. Our courtyard is already very poor. Miss is going to get married soon. I need to save more silver to prepare a dowry for you then."
Seeing Zhizhu's serious expression, Su Mingyu frowned. "So the reason we've been eating such plain food recently and there are so few servants is because of this?"
Zhizhu realized she had exposed herself. She covered her mouth, but when her injured hand touched her lips, she gasped in pain. "Ouch..."
Seeing how silly she was, Su Mingyu sighed silently. "I don't blame you. Don't be so nervous."
Zhizhu pursed her lips, looking a bit aggrieved and a bit scared. "I just heard that the mistress didn't prepare much of a dowry for you... You're the eldest legitimate daughter. How can you lose your dignity when you get married?"
So this girl had been doing all this for her!
Su Mingyu rolled her eyes helplessly. "Come on. I don't need you to prepare a dowry for me. I have my own plans. And don't worry about the silver. Your miss isn't short of that much silver."
"But..." Zhizhu wanted to say something else, but Su Mingyu stopped her. "Alright, stop talking. I know. I won't blame you, but I hope you won't do such a thing again. I have my own way to get the silver. Do you understand?"
Zhizhu pouted and nodded as if it was very difficult for her to make up her mind. "Okay... I understand."
"You girl. It seems more painful for you not to be so thrifty than to take out your silver."
Su Mingyu was really helpless. Her servant girl was so different from others'.
In fact, she didn't understand that Zhizhu firmly believed that Su Mingyu was a very poor mistress. The words Su Mingyu had just said were just to comfort her.
She had no idea that in Zhizhu's eyes, she had become a poor and kind - hearted person who pretended to be rich just to comfort her.
After settling Zhizhu down, Su Mingyu turned around and left.
When she reached the door of her own room, Su Mingyu looked back at the window of Zhizhu's room with the candlelight on.
Then she sighed silently.
Early the next morning, Su Mingyu came to "The First Fragrance" and met Mei Qing there.
Mei Qing didn't expect Su Mingyu to come to the brothel to find her on her own initiative.
She was obviously stunned. "Miss Su, what do you want from me?"
Su Mingyu grinned. "I want to ask Miss Mei Qing how the progress is with the King of Yu?"
Mei Qing lowered her eyes. "Does Miss Su have any countermeasures?"
"Miss Mei Qing is really smart. But this matter can't let Gu Ruobai know." Su Mingyu wasn't afraid of Gu Ruobai, but she knew that he would be unhappy for a long time if he found out. So it was better to keep it from him.
Seeing Su Mingyu like this, Mei Qing smiled. "Unexpectedly, he has made a mess of things."
Gu Ruobai had clearly wanted to protect Su Mingyu, but he didn't expect that his excessive worry would cause Su Mingyu to have a bit of a rebellious mentality. If Gu Ruobai knew this, his face would surely look even uglier.
"What?" Su Mingyu didn't quite understand what she meant.
"Never mind." Mei Qing waved her hand and poured a cup of tea for Su Mingyu. "Miss Su, why don't you tell me your idea first?"
Su Mingyu pursed her lips. "Since you became the top courtesan in this brothel, has there been any activity?"
"No." Mei Qing answered almost without thinking.
"Then could Miss Mei Qing go to the madam and ask her to hold a beauty contest? Let all the beautiful girls in the brothel participate and make this event more grand."
Mei Qing frowned in confusion. "I don't quite understand what you mean, miss."
"I want to use this event to attract the King of Yu and Su Yueyue here." Su Mingyu explained. "I want to create an opportunity for the two of them to be alone, but it must be in full view of everyone."